JoeF Posted May 3, 2006 Posted May 3, 2006 Bills | Team agrees with UDFA M. Rice Wed, 3 May 2006 14:04:31 -0700 The Centre Daily Times reports the Buffalo Bills have agreed to a contract with undrafted rookie free agent DE Matthew Rice (Penn State). Any insights from you JoePa disciples? nfl.com draft profile
Lori Posted May 3, 2006 Posted May 3, 2006 Bills | Team agrees with UDFA M. RiceWed, 3 May 2006 14:04:31 -0700 The Centre Daily Times reports the Buffalo Bills have agreed to a contract with undrafted rookie free agent DE Matthew Rice (Penn State). Any insights from you JoePa disciples? 682992[/snapback] Hali got the Lion's share of the publicity, of course, but Rice made a few big plays as well. And he's got a mean streak. From the Harrisburg Patriot-News: DE MATT RICE (6-3, 255): Draft projection: Late rounds. Strengths: Athletic hustler who doesn't back down. Can hold his own in run support. Weaknesses: Will never be confused with the aforementioned Hali as a pass rusher. Here's some background on him -- mean streets of Baltimore, a mother who's battling both kidney failure and cancer. I'd be rooting for the kid - and his mom - even if he didn't wear Blue and White.
frogger Posted May 3, 2006 Posted May 3, 2006 Not a big penn state fan, however I like the kids size, he's not the quickest out there, but he could give kelsey a run for his money. I only saw him play a handfull of times, and I was watching Tamba more. However he shared an apartment with Zemaitis-who is from Rochester, little side note. Rice (6-4 1/8, 270) ran his 40s in 4.93 and 4.87. Had a 29-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-2 long shuttle jump, 4.28 short shuttle, 7.08 three-cone drill, and did 19 lifts. if you put any stock into workouts these are better than tamba Hali's
Lurker Posted May 3, 2006 Posted May 3, 2006 Per Pro Football Weekly: Matthew Rice (6'4" 271, 4.9) Positive: Has long arms and shows the ability to get off blocks and make plays. Strong at the point. Can be disruptive crashing hard down the line and shows a nice rip move to come underneath blockers. Nice balance and chase speed. Athletic enough to drop into coverage at times. Has overcome a lot of adversity in his life. Negatives: Has skinny ankles. Plays too tall. Not overly powerful, physical or strong. Not a natural bender. inconsistent using his hands, shows few pass rush moves and will let blockers control him. Does not have great instincts. Summary: Had a solid senior year and could get late-round draft consideration as a left defensive end.
JoeF Posted May 3, 2006 Author Posted May 3, 2006 Hali got the Lion's share of the publicity, of course, but Rice made a few big plays as well. And he's got a mean streak. From the Harrisburg Patriot-News:Here's some background on him -- mean streets of Baltimore, a mother who's battling both kidney failure and cancer. I'd be rooting for the kid - and his mom - even if he didn't wear Blue and White. 683017[/snapback] Thanks Lori. Looks like he has put on about 15 lbs since the college season ended. College profile listed him in the mid-250's draft profile at 270...interesting. Read the story about his mom...definitely makes you hope that he makes it, at least practice squad. I think we will keep 4 DE's so a spot is there for the taking especially if he can contribute on ST...
JoeF Posted May 3, 2006 Author Posted May 3, 2006 Per Pro Football Weekly: Matthew Rice (6'4" 271, 4.9) Positive: Has long arms and shows the ability to get off blocks and make plays. Strong at the point. Can be disruptive crashing hard down the line and shows a nice rip move to come underneath blockers. Nice balance and chase speed. Athletic enough to drop into coverage at times. Has overcome a lot of adversity in his life. Negatives: Has skinny ankles. Plays too tall. Not overly powerful, physical or strong. Not a natural bender. inconsistent using his hands, shows few pass rush moves and will let blockers control him. Does not have great instincts. Summary: Had a solid senior year and could get late-round draft consideration as a left defensive end. 683021[/snapback] Thanks Lurker...Skinny ankles have always hampered me
Lurker Posted May 3, 2006 Posted May 3, 2006 Thanks Lurker...Skinny ankles have always hampered me 683026[/snapback] Shane Conlan, too. Must be a PSU thingy...
Arkady Renko Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 What a reach?! I know of at least one publication that had him slotted to go Arena Football League and then being signed as a training camp invitee two years later.
Rubes Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 He fits our system perfectly. I see him starting by the end of the year.
/dev/null Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 What a reach?! I know of at least one publication that had him slotted to go Arena Football League and then being signed as a training camp invitee two years later. 683046[/snapback] Rumor has it we reached for him because Apu from the KwikieMart was going to pick him up to mop floors
Beerball Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 Hali got the Lion's share of the publicity, of course, but Rice made a few big plays as well. And he's got a mean streak. From the Harrisburg Patriot-News:Here's some background on him -- mean streets of Baltimore, a mother who's battling both kidney failure and cancer. I'd be rooting for the kid - and his mom - even if he didn't wear Blue and White. 683017[/snapback] Thanks Lori. Gotta pull for this kid.
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 He's not a bad player. Like Lori said, I could see him out-playing Kelsay or Denney.
Like A Mofo Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 What a reach?! 683046[/snapback] Mort is mortified with this move!!!!! What was Marv thinking?!!?
Berni Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 He is a black high-motor player.... Interesting. http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/rice_matthew
Dan Gross Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 Mort is mortified with this move!!!!! What was Marv thinking?!!? 683406[/snapback] There was confusion in the UDFA war room. They thought they were getting Hali...
BUFFALOTONE Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 There was confusion in the UDFA war room. They thought they were getting Hali... 683423[/snapback] HAHAHAA.
eball Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 From a good buddy of mine who lives and breathes PSU football: "I love Rice. Good kid - no off the field issues and appears to be well rounded (artistic - his painting was used for the cover of the football guide and his degree was in graphic design). He was a very good college DE (not as good as Tamba Hali who went in the first round, but very good). He's a hardworking, non-stop motor, aggressive player. I really hope he makes it. With that said, while he has a shot, I won't be surprised if he just isn't good enough to make it at the NFL level."
Lurker Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 Posey's replacement 683357[/snapback] "Lacks the athleticism and playing speed to make the switch to linebacker."
PSU_Mouse Posted May 4, 2006 Posted May 4, 2006 From a good buddy of mine who lives and breathes PSU football: "I love Rice. Good kid - no off the field issues and appears to be well rounded (artistic - his painting was used for the cover of the football guide and his degree was in graphic design). He was a very good college DE (not as good as Tamba Hali who went in the first round, but very good). He's a hardworking, non-stop motor, aggressive player. I really hope he makes it. With that said, while he has a shot, I won't be surprised if he just isn't good enough to make it at the NFL level." 683493[/snapback] yeah I live and breathe PSU football too - and I 100% agree completely with that statement. He also roomed with Zemaitis (rochester boy) and Robinson - so his roommates were the two captains. Knowing what he's gone thru, I'm sure we'll get a great effort out of him, if nothing else.
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